Shinde to inspect border with BanglaSpl Correspondent NEW DELHI, Oct 19 – Following wide scale allegations of unabated illegal influx from across the border, Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde is arriving in Assam on a day-long visit to inspect the Indo-Bangladesh border.

According to sources, Shinde, accompanied by senior officials of the Home Ministry and Border Security Force, is scheduled to land at Guwahati before taking a helicopter to Dhubri to tour the international border. The Home Minister would visit a few BOP along the Indo-Bangladesh border and interact with officials and jawans, said officials.

The Home Minister is also slated to chair a meeting with top officials of Assam government, including Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, to review the internal security situation. Shinde has been trying to revive the stalled rehabilitation process in BTAD areas. He has held interactions with all the stakeholders, including Bodo leaders, to resolve the impasse.

Meanwhile, Home Ministry official confirmed that various options, including SAARC Convention, is being explored to bring back ULFA general secretary Anup Chetia. The militant leader’s presence is being sought by the pro-talk ULFA faction to participate in the ongoing dialogue with the Centre.

Official sources said India and Bangladesh have agreed to take immediate measures for repatriation of released prisoners and victims of trafficking. Both sides noted that the implementation of three agreements, including Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters, Agreement on Transfer of Sentenced Persons and Combating Terrorism, organised crime and illicit drug trafficking, signed during the visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India in 2010 has been satisfactory.

The Indian delegation, led by Union Secretary RK Singh, had a two-day meeting with Senior Home Secretary CQK Mustaq Ahmed in Dhaka last week.

Sources said the Indian Home Secretary formally thanked Government of Bangladesh for extending cooperation for addressing the security concerns of India, particularly in dealing with the Indian insurgent groups. Both sides reiterated their commitment to act against the elements inimical to both countries.

Both sides discussed the ratification of the Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) – 1974 by the Government of India and the protocol signed in 2011 and noted that early ratification of the same would pave the way for implementations of the provisions of the agreement and lay the long pending boundary related issues at rest. Both sides agreed to exchange strip maps in a time bound manner.